Moonlight Sonata

Phoenix

Phoenix was swinging her legs back and forth on top of a table when Kakashi found her.  She was eating an ice cream and he could have smacked the medic.  The last thing that girl needed was sugar!  She already had too much energy!  He sent a glare at the medic who quickly disappeared as he approached the girl.  She grinned up at him, her face smeared with ice cream and her green eyes twinkling with mischief and mayhem.

"Hi Daddy!" she howled loudly, drawing the stares of everyone in the vicinity.

Kakashi almost face palmed, it would be all over the village that he had a child by nightfall.  He could already see a couple of the female medics scurrying off.  "Phoenix..." he growled.  She looked up at him with those big green eyes with such innocence that he found himself raking his fingers through his hair instead of chastising her.  "Come say good-bye to your Mother."

She tilted her head to the side, "Where we going?"

"You're going to stay with some friends until your mother is well enough to take care of you," he told her softly.  He stopped outside the door and knelt down in front of her.  "Now listen... she's not doing very good, Phoenix.  She's hurting very bad.  Can you be a little quiet when you say good-bye?" She nodded her head at him. "That's a good girl."

Phoenix went up to her Mama quietly.  Lee looked at her, looking very tired.  "Hey baby, did you get something good to eat?"

"MmmHmm, Ice cream!"

Lee made a face before forcing a smile.  "Kakashi is going to take you some place until I'm better, honey.  The medics said he's a good man.  You'll be safe."

Phoenix grinned, "I know, Mama."

"Be good, don't give anyone any problems.  Make me proud."

"Okay, Mama," she gave her a kiss on the cheek before turning back to Kakashi.  "I'm ready, Daddy."

Lee groaned, "Phoenix!  You call him Mr. Hatake."

Phoenix frowned, "I don't wanna."

Kakashi knelt down in front of her, "How about we compromise?  You can call me what my students call me."

"What's that?" she asked suspiciously.

"Sensei," he responded.

Phoenix shifted on her feet, clearly not wanting to give up calling him Daddy but definitely not wanting to call him 'Mr. Hatake'.  She frowned at him before mumbling, "Okay, sensei."

Lee looked like she was going to die.  He ruffled Phoenix's hair, "Can you give me a moment with your mother?  Just stand right outside the door.  Don't wander away."

"Okay," she said before heading out the door.

He gave a sigh and turned to Lee.  "Don't worry, I know several young families that will be more than happy to watch her until you're up and about.  Good people."

"I'm really sorry she keeps calling you Daddy," Lee covered her face.  "Once she gets something in her head, it takes a while to get it out."

Kakashi chuckled softly, "Well I'm pretty sure my reputation is shot now but... it should make things interesting around the village for awhile.  Trust me, I've been called worse."

Lee tilted her head to the side, "Sensei... are you some kind of martial arts teacher?"

"You could say that," he said with that narrow eyed smile.  "We'll talk more when you're in a better state.  I'll bring Phoenix by daily so you won't worry."

"Thank you," she said with a weak smile.

Kakashi hesitated for a moment before turning and hurrying out the door.  Not trusting Phoenix for a moment to stay where he told her to.  He was surprised when he stepped out the door and she was standing just where he had said to stand.  He extended his hand to her and she took it.  He ignored the whispering as they walked by for the most part.